About Marta

 

The Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero has a hope and vision for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): that it will continue to be a place where people find comfort and welcome, as well as meaningful opportunities to serve their communities and beyond showing love for God and their neighbor. Marta’s church experiences are grounded in justice and hope.

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Marta grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her mother, Abby, was born in Puerto Rico, raised in New York, and moved to Dubuque, Iowa, to attend college…because it was Presbyterian. While in Dubuque, she met Tom Pumroy of Ames, Iowa. They married, made their home in Iowa, and raised their family there, nurturing a love of travel, sports, and education.

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Marta attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she earned her degree in education and worked with the Multicultural Student Life Office—work that led her to protest a non-affirming religious group on campus. After graduation, she taught in Houston, TX, where she met the father of her amazing daughter. Though initially charming, he became abusive, and Marta made the courageous decision to leave her husband the day her newborn came home from the hospital. With the support of her family, community, and church in Iowa, Marta and her daughter built a life of peace, joy, and liberation.

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Marta taught middle school Spanish, French, and World Languages for nineteen years—nine in a Catholic school and ten in public education—earning her Master’s degree and a reputation as an engaging, caring, fair, and effective teacher. She became more involved in her church as a youth leader and Ruling Elder, and served her presbytery and the national church as a commissioner to the 223rd General Assembly in St. Louis.

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Marta experienced significant personal and denominational transformation while serving as co-moderator of the GA Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation. After her daughter left for college, her home church weathered COVID-19 and transition, and her community faced devastating loss from an unnatural disaster, she—encouraged by Presbyterian leaders and friends—enrolled at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, beginning a new chapter of her life.

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Embracing every opportunity for growth, Marta flourished in her seminary studies and fieldwork. After graduating in 2024, an unexpected path opened before her. Tres Rios Presbytery visited the seminary with an opportunity to serve as Border Ministry Coordinator. Coupled with an influential mission course and her growing love for Raul, who was raised in Mexico, the Holy Spirit led them both to El Paso. Marta and Raul were married in August 2025. Her ministry at the border continues to deepen her gifts for compassion, justice, and faithful action that have shaped her life.

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Fun Facts: *Marta played rugby in college. She is still tough but a lot less aggressive these days. *Marta’s family hosted minor league baseball players from different Spanish speaking countries. She raised her daughter around a baseball stadium filled with community and hope. *Marta was part of a narrative story telling troupe, and creates poems and spoken word pieces. Storytelling continues to be a theme of her ministry.